• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to elucidate the dynamics of microtubules in post-ovulatory aging in vivo and in vitro of mouse oocytes. The fresh ovulated oocytes were obtained from oviducts of superovulated female ICR mice at 16 hours after hCG injection. The post-ovulatory aged oocytes were collected at 24 and 48 hours after hCG injection from in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Immunocytochemistry was performed on ${\beta}$-tubulin and acetylated ${\alpha}$-tubulin. The microtubules were localized in the spindle assembly, which was barrel-shaped or slightly pointed at its poles and located peripherally in the fresh ovulated oocytes. The frequency of misaligned metaphase chromosomes were significantly increased in post-ovulatory aged oocytes after 48 hours of hCG injection. The spindle length and width of post-ovulatory aged oocytes were significantly different from those of fresh ovulated oocytes, respectively. The staining intensity of acetylated ${\alpha}$-tubulin showed stronger in post-ovulatory aged oocytes than that in the fresh ovulated oocytes. In the aged oocytes, the spindles had moved towards the center of the oocytes from their original peripheral position and elongated, compared with the fresh ovulated oocytes. Microtubule organizing centers were formed and observed in the cytoplasm of the aged oocytes. On the contrary, it was not observed in the fresh ovulated oocytes. The alteration of spindle formation and chromosomes alignment substantiates the poor development and the increase of disorders from the post-ovulatory aged oocytes. It might be important to fertilize on time in ovulated oocytes for the developmental competence of embryos with normal karyotypes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.744-752
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was done to investigate factors influencing successful aging in middle-aged women. Methods: A convenience sample of 103 middle-aged women was selected from the community. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Pearson correlations, Spearman correlations and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. Results: Results of regression analysis showed that significant factors influencing successful aging were post-traumatic growth and social support. This regression model explained 48% of the variance in successful aging. Conclusion: Findings show that the concept 'post-traumatic growth' is an important factor influencing successful aging in middle-aged women. In addition, social support from friends/co-workers had greater influence on successful aging than social support from family. Thus, we need to consider the positive impact of post-traumatic growth and increase the chances of social participation in a successful aging program for middle-aged women.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.230-236
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• 2013

Purpose: In this study, the effects of laughter therapy on a laughter index, cortisol and immunoglobulin of middle aged women were examined. Methods: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group pre/post-test design were used. The participants (n=54) included 27 in the experimental group and 27 in the control group. The data were collected from February through March of 2013. The experimental group participated in laughter therapy for 40 minutes per session, five times a week for a period of 2 weeks. The tool was used to measure pre/post-test laughter index, cortisol and immunoglobulin of middle aged women. Results: The results showed that laughter therapy was effective in increasing the laughter index (p<.001), and immunoglobulin IgA (p<.001), IgG (p<.001), and IgM (p=.010). Also, the stress hormone, cortisol of middle aged women decreased but non-significantly (p=.158). Conclusion: The result of the study indicates that laughter therapy may have an influence on nursing intervention and treatment effects to improve the laughter index and immunoglobulin of middle aged women.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.166-174
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 8-week dynamic yoga program on body composition and blood lipids in middle-aged post-menopausal women. Method: Twenty participants were allocated to the yoga group (YG, n=10) or the control group (CG, n=10). They were assessed for lean body mass, percent body fat, waist to hip ratio, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride both before and after intervention. The yoga group participated in the program lasting $50{\sim}60$ minutes, five times a week for 8 weeks. Results: Unlike the control group, the yoga group showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, percent body fat, and waist hip ratio after the yoga training. However, changes in lean body mass, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride level during the intervention period were not different between the yoga group and the control group. Conclusion: The 8-week dynamic yoga program could be adopted to prevent cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged post-menopausal women by promoting body composition & blood lipids.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.52-61
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a combined functional intervention program on the pain-related questionnaire, the erector spinae contractile properties, and trunk extensor strength of prime-aged females with non-specific chronic low back pain. Method: 16 (female: 16) prime-aged subjects (age: 60.88 ± 6.09 years, height: 158.16 ± 5.58 cm, weight: 59.05 ± 9.44 kg) participated in this study. Results: Except for Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia all pain-related questionnaires revealed a significant decrease after the intervention program (p<.001). Tensiomyography of the erector spinae revealed a significant post-intervention program increase in the maximum radial displacement (p<.05) and velocity of contraction (p<.05), however, there wasn't a significant post-intervention program change in the contraction time. Additionally, Trunk extensor strength showed a significant increase post-intervention program (p<.001). Conclusion: Our results indicated that the combined functional intervention program positively changed pain-related questionnaires and reduced erector spinae muscle stiffness, increasing the velocity of erector spinae contraction. Additionally, improved the trunk extensor strength.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.225-230
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• 2010

This study was proposed to investigate the effects of water extract of aged black garlic on ethanol induced hangovers in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $180{\pm}10\;g$ were divided into the following three groups; control, 130 mg/kg, and 260 mg/kg of aged black garlic extract. Aged black garlic was administered orally 30 min before and 30 min after ingestion of 40% ethanol (5 g/kg, B.W.). The rats were killed 24 hr after ethanol treatment, and blood was taken from the caudal artery at 1, 3, and 5 hr to test for ethanol or acetaldehyde in the serum. Groups that were administered aged black garlic extract pre- and post-alcohol consumption showed a significant decrease in ethanol levels in the blood at 1, 3, and 5 hr. The acetaldehyde concentrations decreased in both 130 mg/kg and 260 mg/kg groups that were administered aged black garlic extract pre- and post-alcohol consumption. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase seemed to be unaffected, although the aged black garlic showed slightly higher activities of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in pre- or post-alcohol consumption. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in the serum, elevated by ethanol, was decreased by administering a high dosage of aged black garlic extract, but resulted in no significant change in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. These results concluded that aged black garlic extract can reduce hangover syndrome through the elevation of ALDH.

• Infection and chemotherapy
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.301-310
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• 2018

Backgroud: Influenza vaccination is recommended for adults aged ${\geq}65$ years as they are at high risk of significant morbidity and mortality. This open-label, multicenter, post-marketing surveillance study assessed the safety of the MF59-adjuvanted trivalent inactivated subunit influenza vaccine, which is marketed as $FLUAD^{(R)}$ and $VANTAFLU^{(R)}$, in South Korean subjects aged ${\geq}65$ years. Materials and Methods: Solicited local and systemic adverse events (AEs) were collected from day 1 to 4 of the study. All unsolicited AEs and serious AEs (SAEs) were recorded from day 1 until study termination (day 29). Results: Of the 770 subjects enrolled ($FLUAD^{(R)}$, n = 389; $VANTAFLU^{(R)}$, n = 381), 39% overall experienced any solicited AE. Local AEs were reported by 33% of subjects overall; with the most common events being injection-site pain (30%) and tenderness (27%). Systemic AEs were reported by 19% of subjects overall with the most common events being myalgia (11%) and fatigue (8%). Conclusion: These results show that the MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine known as $FLUAD^{(R)}$ or $VANTAFLU^{(R)}$ had acceptable safety profiles in older adults (aged ${\geq}65$ years) in South Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of low frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training on abdominal obesity in middle-aged women through electromyography and ultrasound. METHODS: Twenty-two middle aged women with abdominal obesity participated in the study. A low-frequency NMES device was used on the abdomen and waist of each subject for 20 minutes each (a total of 40 minutes) three times a week for eight weeks. The waist-hip ratio (WHR), weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) were measured. Electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound measurements were performed three times in total (pre-intervention, four weeks into the intervention, and eight weeks post-intervention) to examine the effects of low-frequency NMES on the abdominal muscle activity, muscle thickness, and subcutaneous fat. RESULTS: The results indicated a difference in the WHR and waist circumference before and after intervention (p<.05). The external oblique muscle (EO) showed a significant increase in muscle activity during all measurements taken post-intervention (p<.05). The abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness also showed a significant decrease between each measurement (p<.05). The test results showed that the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness values taken eight weeks post-intervention were significantly lower than those taken pre-intervention and four weeks into the intervention (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These findings show that low-frequency NMES device training can be applied to middle-aged women with abdominal obesity to improve their body shape and exercise performance.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 1998

This study was to evaluate the performance status and associated factors with the health promoting activities. Two hundred three old aged over 65 years old sampled by quota sampling among 660 old aged in a rural area, Dae-Ma Myun, Young-Kwang Gun, Chollanam Do. The questionnaire survey was performed from June 1st to August 31st in 1997. The major findings were as follows ; 1. The performance rate of health promoting activities were higher in female, dwellers at community health practitioner post area, and old aged believes in a religion and high educated old aged. 2. A multiple regression analysis showed that physical health promoting activity was related to psychiatric wellbeing status, the disability of daily living, residental area and family numbers(P<0.05). 3. The disability of daily living and psychiatric wellbeing status were related to mental health promoting activities by a multiple regression analysis(P<0.05). In conclusion, psychiatric wellbeing status, the disability of daily living, the disability of daily living and residental area were associated the performance of health promoting activities for old aged in a rural area.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combined exercise program using a ballet bar and elastic bands on the body composition, physical strength, and postural correction of middle-aged women. Methods : The subjects were 28 middle-aged women with no ballet experience. They were divided into an experimental group (n=14; exercise group) and a control group (n=14; non-exercise group) through random sampling. The experimental group underwent an exercise program using a ballet bar and elastic bands for 50 minutes twice a week for 12 weeks, whereas the control group performed no exercise. The subjects in both group had their body composition, physical fitness, and postural angles measured before and after the intervention. A paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-test values within each group, and a two-way repeated measures ANOVA was employed to compare pre- and post-test changes between the two groups. Results : Regarding body composition, statistically significant differences in BMI (p<.05), body fat percentage (p<.001), and muscle mass (p<.001) were observed between the two groups before and after the intervention. For physical fitness, the experimental group showed statistically significant increases in quick reflexes (p<.001), muscle endurance (p<.001), and muscle strength (p<.001). For postural correction, the experimental group exhibited statistically significant decreases in all variables: the head (p<.001), shoulder (p<.001), cervical tilt (p<.001), right-left pelvic tilt (p<.001), and anterior-posterior pelvic tilt (p<.001). Conclusion : A combined exercise program using a ballet bar and elastic bands had positive effects on the body composition, physical fitness, and postural correction of middle-aged women.